mmmm not sure about those... kinda look cheap and bland. also they mention that the centre seat are facing each other for convenience, you might still have to shout to each other across that centre console and sitting down looking like you will also have to be leaning forward to talk as they partition looks like it is a bit in the way...

Delta seems not to be really taKing the time out to study and get customer and employees feedback like CO did with there flatbeds. That's a BIG lost of BE seats and revenue with these seat being installed and the product as another poster said it is pretty bland and the TV monitors look really small. CO did A LOT of studies to get it right to even having Flatbeds on there 757's which no other US carrier has on there 757 transatlantic flights.

Quoting COalways (Reply 5):Delta seems not to be really taKing the time out to study and get customer and employees feedback like CO did with there flatbeds.

The problem with the CO seats, however, is that not everyone has aisle access. Delta is specifically looking to make sure that all airplanes have flat beds with direct access to the aisle from each seat. CO seats don't allow that. These look similar to the new US Airways seats with the reverse herringbone, and I'm told those are getting rave reviews.

Quoting COalways (Reply 5):Delta seems not to be really taKing the time out to study and get customer and employees feedback like CO did with there flatbeds. That's a BIG lost of BE seats and revenue with these seat being installed and the product as another poster said it is pretty bland and the TV monitors look really small. CO did A LOT of studies to get it right to even having Flatbeds on there 757's which no other US carrier has on there 757 transatlantic flights.

yikes.
Ok where to start, how do you know Delta hasn't studied anything? i look at these seats vs the LR seats and i see changes that a lot of people wanted, (see out the windows, longer seat for tail people, be able to see the person your with.) second the PTV is the same size as COs, third remind me to send CO a cookie for the 757 flat bed thing.

To lose 17 revenue high fair passenger jus to have every seat with aisle access is jus crazy were not taking about emirates or singapore here but DL. I have flown on BE and BF transatlantic flights and I will get up to use the restroom after breakfast so thats once before arriving at my destination so not sure why people like aisle access so much, I rather have a BIG screen tv with variety, seated next to my seat mate so we can enjoy our meal and a overall good comfy seat.

Quoting COalways (Reply 8):I have flown on BE and BF transatlantic flights and I will get up to use the restroom after breakfast so thats once before arriving at my destination so not sure why people like aisle access so much

That's just you. Many people aren't lucky enough to have a bladder as large as yours. If you think that after breakfast is the only time that people get up to use the lav, then what is that long line at the lavs, right after dinner?

Quoting COalways (Reply 8):To lose 17 revenue high fair passenger jus to have every seat with aisle access is jus crazy were not taking about emirates or singapore here but DL.

Whoa, what makes you think those are 17 high fair [sic] passengers? This is probably like United's flat bed strategy which was to provide a much better product that people will pay for instead of one that people will upgrade to. No question elites won't like that part of it, but that doesn't mean it's crazy.

Ummmm CO didn't lose ANY seats to install there Flatbeds, was 16 seats with the Recliner and still til this day there are 16 FlatBeds installed on CO 757's.

And if everyone running to the bathroom after dinner service like u claim then there should be no problem on CO planes as everyone is up so no one should have a problem gettin out of there Flatbed to use the restroom.

Quoting COalways (Reply 5):Delta seems not to be really taKing the time out to study and get customer and employees feedback like CO did with there flatbeds.

Firstly, the window seat is now facing towards the window, while the center seats are far better for a couple traveling together than the herringbone layout on the 777LR. This is in direct response to customer feedback regarding what pax don't like about the 777 seats today. As for the TV monitor "looking really small" - re-read the press release - the PTV screen size is 15.4 inches, the SAME size screens as the CO Flat Beds.

And the bed is actually longer than the CO Flat beds- 81.7 inches long versus 78 inches.

Honestly, it's pretty absurd to assume Delta, who has tonnes and tonnes of data about how many people pay for what on every route it flies didn't use that data when deciding on seat configuration. I'm guessing they kept Economy the same and shrank Business for a reason.
...

Quoting COalways (Reply 8):were not taking about emirates or singapore here but DL.

Yes, exactly. Which means we probably don't need to talk about CO and BusinessFirst. Rather, how about we discuss the DL product on its own merits.

Quoting COalways (Reply 8):I [sic] rather have a BIG screen tv with variety, seated next to my seat mate so we can enjoy our meal and a overall good comfy seat.

The size a screen needs to be is relative to it's position. I'd need to sit in the seat to judge screen size, but from looking at the pictures, ya, it could be bigger. Something 20" or so would have been nicer. Still, it's a quibble.

I do like that they've changed the direction from aisle-facing to inward facing a la US. I'd much rather look out a window than at the feet of the person across from me. As an enthusiast, of course, I will still gripe about not being able to press my face up against the window and see more.

Quoting COalways (Reply 5):Delta seems not to be really taKing the time out to study and get customer and employees feedback like CO did with there flatbeds. That's a BIG lost of BE seats and revenue with these seat being installed and the product as another poster said it is pretty bland and the TV monitors look really small. CO did A LOT of studies to get it right to even having Flatbeds on there 757's which no other US carrier has on there 757 transatlantic flights.

I am sure that DL was well aware of the needs of its customers when they designed these seats. It looks like a great improvement over what was there before. You are obviously biased towards CO and that is your opinion. Until you experience the seats I would save your judgement.

I don't really love the styling colors of these either, but I do have to say that if I were forced into sitting in the center section I would much prefer these seats with only 2 together, than the UA 747 C seats which have 4 in the middle. And great that the Y Cabin is getting PTV's, again something UA should have coughed up for on the 747.

For the most part, I like this. I think everyone has been waiting with baited breath on what DLs plans were in detail for the whales. Now we know.

The good:

They went with the herringbone seats and not the 764 seats. Given the width of the 744, this IMO was a must. Also, very nice to see they've responded to customer feedback and will reverse the herringbone. It also looks like some extra storage is available which was lacking on the 77L seats. Let's not forget Y class, which was in more of a dire need for refurbishing than the C class. New, slimline seats will add to the comfort and space for the Y cabin. FInally, a AVOD system for the 744 customers, which was also very long over due.

The disappointing:

I realize the beancounters have probably done the math, but this new configuration is a major reduction in BE capacity. I can't imagine they'll be willing or able to raise the fares comparably. The service is good, but it's not THAT good. Most PMNW flights to NRT were virtually always full in WBC. I know, I know, high loads don't = high yields/profits. But I can't imagine things are so dramatically different these days post merger as far as the economics of the 744 BE cabin. And before anyone comments on non-revs in C class... it was always rather difficult to snag a WBC/BE seat unless the flight was unusually empty. This new configuration does however, put it inline with the rest of the international fleet, with respect to C/Y ratio. Plus, these new seats take up more space, so something had to give... take away more C seats or Y. I'm surprised they didn't opt for reducing the Y cabin, since I would have guessed DLs pricing power comes in the premium cabins, not Y.

Overall, this was much anticipated and a good thing for the airline, its customers and employees. I know it's a long shot, but it would be nice to see the 777s get retrofitted with this new seat, purely for product consistency. Since they refuse to ever mention the 330s and their plans for that fleet, this will make 4 BE configurations flying.

So, for the record, DL are not the launch customer for this seat, US was. Also, for the record, the same applies to the Contour seat (www.contour.aero) on the 777s and the Thompson Solutions Vantage seat (www.thompsonaero.com) on the 767s. JET/AC were the launch customer for the Contour seat, and Swiss was the launch customer for the Vantage seat.

War does not determine who is right. War determines who is left.

25 mayor
: Where did anyone claim that DL was the launch customer for these seats?

26 1337Delta764
: Wow, DL must be very happy with Weber. DL buys both their Y and domestic F seats from Weber, and now DL is buying flat-bed BusinessElite seats from th

27 pfletch1228
: DL did, or at least implied it. From their press release : "The new, custom-designed product". It's new for DL, not new for the industry, and it wasn

28 burnsie28
: Except that there are no international complimentary upgrades. The reason that there is such a reduction is because these seats take up far more spac

29 jfk777
: Virgin Atlantic has 54 seats, in an arrangement as close to what Delta wants to do as can be found. Cathay Pacific has 46 seats on the upper deck and

30 COalways
: Thank You that's my whole thing these Aircraft are always FULL with customers not nonrevs so it jus blows my mind that there losing so MANY BE seats

31 max999
: Regarding the Y seats...this is what I'm most excited about. This combined with the fact they are keeping the same number of Y seats, I believe there

32 COalways
: Jetblue and UNited offer some pretty good Leg room and when the 787 Globes arrive I'm pretty sure they probably come with the new fusion slimline sea

33 PGNCS
: Clearly Delta had to be concerned with more customer preferences than yours, and while we get it that you like Continental, that doesn't mean that th

34 max999
: Yes, JetBlue is quite generous with space and I like that. However, DL flies 14 hour flights with their 744s and that's when the extra legroom will b

35 jr
: Judging by your nick, I think you are perhaps a tad bit biased. I got to fly the 777LR on BOM-ATL last year on the new BizElite seat, and it was grea

36 alitalia744
: Irregardless of what people think, trust that Delta has done its homework to fully understand the optimizations needed on the 744 fleet as well as ana

37 1337Delta764
: I actually wonder, could the selection of Weber over Contour be due to the lawsuit filed by VS claiming that Contour infringed on VS patents when sell

38 muzzNYC
: So will Delta change their seats on the 777LR, or do you think they will keep them. given the fact they already have them in place?

39 jetlanta
: Forget about EVERYTHING else. These seats are seven feet long in the bed position. For a seasoned traveler who happens to be tall, that is all I need

40 Delimit
: Looked at these again. Is it me or does it looklike the aisle-facing armrest retracts? If so, these should actually be more comfortable than the LR p

41 lucky777
: Give me a break. Clearly you're not a Platinum or Diamond Medallion member as there absolutely are FREE upgrades. Don't take this the wrong way, but

42 Clipper136
: Just a thought.... But it is a smart move by DL because these seats could also be used to update their A330s Biz Eite cabins without much effort becau

43 Clipper136
: Here is a example of what the seat can do..... and yes the armrest does retract. US Airways Envoy Suite Demo

44 Delimit
: Thanks! I remember when US launched these. I thought they looked very nice. It's a shame DL is married to that leather (stupid accountants) as I would

45 isitsafenow
: Now.......Delta can finish this up by ordering 20 747-8's and have Boeing start deliverys in 2016 or 2017. safe

46 MSPNWA
: I'm surprised at the drop to 48 BE with no other cabin adjustments. It's not a consistent ratio with the 777, and it goes against talk about premium r

47 laca773
: I will give you that CO did a wonderful job with their new BF cabins, however, COalways, you seem to forget what your merger partner has done with th

48 Delimit
: If that were true then DL's decision would make no sense. I can't think of a compelling argument for reducing a premium cabin you are routinely fuill

49 tinpusher007
: Regarding the loss of BE seats, has anyone considered the following: As stated in the press release the 744's fly primarily to NRT from the US. Prior

50 1337Delta764
: Also, another thing, it looks like the article confirms that the new Y seats on the 744s will have winged headrests. The demo that was shown on CBS Ne

51 jetlanta
: Also keep in mind that Hawaii-Japan markets are in the mix as well. The fleet needs to be optimized to serve ALL markets best.

52 NZdsgnr
: to me it doesn't look very CGI and I have never said they were cheap, but that they looked cheap.

53 ORDFan
: I know you may be kidding, but I actually think this news displays a pretty encouraging commitment to the 747 frame; I wonder if a 748 order could be

54 akelley728
: Does anyone know how many seats will be on the upper deck vs. lower deck?

55 PSU.DTW.SCE
: A somewhat 744 related question, but what is up with the current utilization? I'm in the DTW SC right now and there are currently 4 744's on the groun

56 Transpac787
: Right now it's relatively low. It significantly increases when LAX-HND and DTW-HND start though, to the point that they actually had to switch DTW-NG

57 MasseyBrown
: I haven't tried them so I won't call them good or bad. Still, a lot of C class layouts including this one remind me of low-budget office cubicles. I

58 MSPNWA
: My guess would be 12-14 in the upper deck. I could see something like 12 in the nose and upper deck and 24 in the main lower deck. That equals 48, so

59 ash185
: What is it with the US and Canadian carriers and the colour blue in their aircraft. Its great that flat beds are introduced into their aircraft but th

60 as739x
: Could the reduction in seats (weight) help in adding a little cargo room? The freight-dogs did fly through NRT primarily where DL says these 744's wil

61 deltal1011man
: yea i mean 3rd lie flat. I had the same thought. Delta has said time and time again, they will not be adding F or W to its fleet. How old are you? 2?

62 etops1
: Those are the same exact seats we have installed on our A330-200's over at USAirways. people like them a lot

63 MSPNWA
: Then I believe they need to get with the times. I think they're missing out, and I know that I would be missing out. I'm a very interested customer i

64 IADCA
: Two things: One, aisle access at every seat is also nice for the people who like to sit down, but get stuck in a seat that blocks someone in. It's pr

65 Cubsrule
: Yes - this is an underappreciated issue with the 744 fleet, I think. When NW ran 332s and 744s TPAC and 333s TATL, I think there was an assumption th

66 baw716
: This might be a dumb question, but I'm asking it anyway: Wasn't Delta suppose to be the launch customer for the Thompson seat solution in both BE and

67 lucky777
: And my guess is if somebody attains Platinum or Medallion status due to business travels, they're not the fry cook at the local McDonald's flying bac

68 goldenstate
: I suppose the good news for DL in this discussion is that most of the individuals with negative comments do not appear to be part of the market segmen

69 peanuts
: Well put! Just incredible the ludicrous posts these DL threads seem to attract. This baby is barely breathing and it just gets choked to no end. LOL.

70 gaystudpilot
: Of course, it's a Delta interior. Have you seen one "New Delta" interior that doesn't look cheap and bland? They need a gay interior designer, not a

71 Schweigend
: The fewer BizElite seats will have more space. DL seems to be ready to position its J-class to be more like F/P. And they could yet try Y+. Go, DL!!

72 NZdsgnr
: HAHAHA sorry sometimes I forget... and yes I guess that's what they need

73 AirCanada014
: Just like AC the only bad few things about the new seats DL are getting you, you won't be able to see out of the window very well without hurting your

74 laca773
: I wouldn't be surprised if they eventually add an extra row or two prior to the refurbishment occuring.

75 1337Delta764
: I am pretty sure the A330s will eventually get some form of flat-bed product in BusinessElite. However, the mods include both the J and Y cabins, and

76 Delimit
: Obviously this means they will need to buy a couple more. I mean, obviously. It makes sense when you think about it; they serve almost identical purp

77 tinpusher007
: I was thinking the very same thing actually before he posted this. Whoever is in charger of the interior design needs to be replaced. The blue leathe

78 gaystudpilot
: There... was... no... joke... intended. I do not understand the need to have huge PTVs and therefore the obsession some have over which J class produ

79 Delimit
: I understand that there was no joke intended. Your intensions weren't required to make it funny. Take those words without the context though, and I g

80 azjubilee
: It seems to me, that this summer through early winter 2011 would have been the perfect time to get this project done. With so much slack in the 744 fl